Method and system for centralized distributed transceiver management

ABSTRACT

A master application device comprises a plurality of distributed transceivers, a central baseband processor, and a network management engine that manages operation of the master application device and end-user application devices. The master application device communicates data streams to the end-user devices utilizing one or more distributed transceivers selected from the plurality of distributed transceivers. The selected distributed transceivers are dynamically configured to switch between spatial diversity mode, frequency diversity mode, multiplexing mode and MIMO mode based on corresponding link quality and propagation environment. Digital signal processing needed for the selected distributed transceivers is performed by the central baseband processor. The network management engine continuously monitors communication environment information to configure beamforming settings and/or antenna arrangement for the selected distributed transceivers. Connection types, communication protocols, and/or transceiver operation modes are determined for the selected distributed transceivers. Resources are allocated to the selected distributed transceivers to continue subsequent data communication.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This patent application makes reference to, claims priority to andclaims benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.61/548,201 filed on Oct. 17, 2011.

This application makes reference to:

-   -   U.S. application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 25067US02)        filed on May 16, 2012;    -   U.S. application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 25068US02)        filed on May 16, 2012;    -   U.S. application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 25069US02)        filed on May 16, 2012;    -   U.S. application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 25070US02)        filed on May 16, 2012;    -   U.S. application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 25071        US02) filed on May 16, 2012; and    -   U.S. application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 25072US02)        filed on May 16, 2012.

Each of the above stated applications is hereby incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the invention relate to signal processing forcommunication systems. More specifically, certain embodiments of theinvention relate to a method and system for centralized distributedtransceiver management.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Millimeter Wave (mmWave) devices are being utilized for high throughputwireless communications at very high carrier frequencies. There areseveral standards bodies such as 60 GHz wireless standard, WirelessHD,WiGig, and WiFi IEEE 802.11ad that utilize high frequencies such as the60 GHz frequency spectrum for high throughput wireless communications.In the US, the 60 GHz spectrum band may be used for unlicensed shortrange data links such as, for example, data links within a range of 1.7km, with data throughputs up to 6 Gbits/s. These higher frequencies mayprovide smaller wavelengths and enable the use of small high gainantennas. However, these higher frequencies may experience highpropagation loss.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditionalapproaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, throughcomparison of such systems with some aspects of the present invention asset forth in the remainder of the present application with reference tothe drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method and/or system for centralized distributed transceivermanagement, substantially as shown in and/or described in connectionwith at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in theclaims.

These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the presentinvention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, willbe more fully understood from the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary communication systemthat support centralized distributed transceiver management, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram that illustrates an exemplary usage scenario wheredistributed transceivers are centrally managed to create ahigh-performance link between a transmitting device and one receivingdevice, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram that illustrates an exemplary transceiver module, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary master device with acollection of distributed transceivers that are implemented in a startopology, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary master device with acollection of distributed transceivers that are implemented in a ringtopology, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary transceiver module with asingle antenna that has fixed directionality, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary transceiver module with aconfigurable phased antenna array, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating exemplary steps utilized by a masterdevice with a collection of distributed transceivers to configure andcoordinate operation of the distributed transceivers for datatransmission, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating exemplary steps utilized by a masterdevice with a collection of distributed transceivers to enablecommunication sessions in-between corresponding data centric applicationdevices, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating exemplary steps utilized by a devicemaster with a collection of distributed transceivers for communicationsession transfer, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in a method and systemfor centralized distributed transceiver management. In accordance withvarious exemplary embodiments of the invention, a single networkmanagement engine is utilized to manage operation of a masterapplication device and a plurality of end-user application devices thatare served or managed by the master application device in acommunication network. The master application device comprises aplurality of distributed transceivers, a central baseband processor, andthe network management engine. An end-user application device served bythe master application device does not comprise the network managementengine and has no access to manage the network management engine. Themaster application device may communicate data streams utilizing one ormore distributed transceivers selected from the plurality of thedistributed transceivers to one or more end-user devices. The networkmanagement engine may dynamically configure the selected one or moredistributed transceivers to switch between different operation modes,for example, spatial diversity mode, frequency diversity mode,multiplexing mode and MIMO mode, based on corresponding link quality andpropagation environment. The central baseband processor may performdigital signal processing needed for transmit and receive operations foreach of the selected one or more distributed transceivers. The networkmanagement engine may continuously monitor communication environmentinformation such as propagation environment conditions, link quality,device capabilities, usage of resources, available resources, devicelocations, target throughput, and/or application QoS requirements.Beamforming settings and/or antenna arrangement may be configured forthe selected one or more distributed transceivers based on thecommunication environment information. The network management engine maydetermine connection types, communication protocols, and/or transceiveroperation modes for the selected one or more distributed transceiversand may allocate resources such as frequencies, time slots, processor,and/or storage to the selected one or more distributed transceivers tocontinue subsequent data communication. The allocated resources may beshared among the distributed transceivers by session transferring, forexample.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary communication systemthat support centralized distributed transceiver management, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 1,there is shown a communication network 100 comprising a plurality ofapplication devices, of which application devices 111-119 are displayed.

The application devices 111-119 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry,code, and/or interfaces that may be operable to communicate voice anddata with one to another over wired and/or wireless connections. In anexemplary embodiment of the invention, each of the application devices111-119 in the communication network 100 may comprise one or moredistributed transceivers (DTs) for communication in the communicationnetwork 100. For example, distributed transceivers 111 a through 119 amay be integrated in the application devices 111 through 119,respectively, and utilized for receiving and transmitting signals. Eachdistributed transceiver may be equipped with an independentlyconfigurable antenna or antenna array that is operable to transmit andreceive signals over the air. For example, the distributed transceivers111 a each may be equipped with an independently configurable antennaarray 111 b, and the distributed transceiver 118 a, however, may beequipped with a single independently configurable antenna 118 b totransmit and receive signals over the air. Depending on devicecapabilities and user preferences, distributed transceivers such as thedistributed transceivers 111 a within the application device 111, forexample, may comprise radios such as a millimeter Wave (mmWave), a WLAN,WiMax, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), cellular radios, WiMAXradio, or other types of radios. In this regard, radios such as mmWaveradios may be utilized at very high carrier frequencies for highthroughput wireless communications.

In an exemplary operation, the distributed transceivers 111 a through119 a in the communication network 100 are physically positioned andoriented at different locations within corresponding application devicessuch like laptop, TV, gateway and/or set-top box. The distributedtransceivers 111 a through 119 a may be centrally managed by a singlenetwork management engine (NME) 120 of the communication network 100. Inan exemplary embodiment of the invention, the network management engine120 may reside within a specific application device in the communicationnetwork 100. The network management engine 120 may be centralized as afull software implementation on a separate network microprocessor, forexample. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, an applicationdevice in the communication network 100 may act or function as a masterapplication device or an end-user application device. An applicationdevice that comprises the network management engine 120 and/or may haveaccess to manage or control the network management engine 120 todynamically configure and manage operation of the entire distributedtransceivers in the communication network 100 is referred to a masterapplication device. An application device that does not comprise thenetwork management engine 120 and/or may have no access to manage orcontrol the network management engine 120 is referred to as an end-userapplication device.

In some instances, the application device 111 acts as a masterapplication device in the communication network 100. In an exemplaryembodiment of the invention, the network management engine 120 in themaster application device 111 may be utilized to configure, control, andmanage the entire distributed transceivers 111 a through 119 a in thecommunication network 100 to optimize network performance. Theapplication devices 111-119 each may operate in a transmission mode orin a receiving mode. In instances where the master application device111 is transmitting multimedia information such as images, video, voice,as well as any other form of data to one or more receiving devices suchas the end-user application devices 112-116, the network managementengine 120 in the master application device 111 may be enabled tomonitor and collect corresponding communication environment informationfrom the end-user application devices 112-116. The collectedcommunication environment information may comprise propagationenvironment conditions, link quality, device capabilities, antennapolarization, radiation pattern, antenna spacing, array geometry, devicelocations, target throughput, and/or application QoS requirementsreported. The network management engine 120 may be operable todynamically configure the distributed transceivers 111 a-116 a andassociated antenna or antenna array 111 b-116 b, and to coordinate andmanage the operation of the distributed transceivers 111 a-116 a andassociated antenna or antenna array 111 b-116 b based on the collectedcommunication environment information supplied from the end-userapplication devices 112-116. In this regard, the network managementengine 120 may configure a single application device such as theapplication device 117 to maintain continuous connection with multipledifferent application devices such as the application devices 111-113.The application device capabilities may comprise battery life, number oftransceivers, number of antennas per transceiver, device interfacetypes, processing protocols, service types, service classes and/orservice requirements. The interface types for the application devices111-119 may comprise access interface types such as Multimedia over CoaxAlliance (MoCa), WiFi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, Femtocell, and/or cordless.The processing protocols may comprise service layer protocols, IP layerprotocols and link layer protocols, as specified, for example, in theOpen Systems Interconnect (OSI) model. The service layer protocols maycomprise secure protocols such as Secure Socket Layer (SSL) and controlprotocols such as Spanning Tree Protocol (STP). The IP layer protocolsmay comprise IP signaling protocols such as SIP and H.323, and IP mediatransport protocols such as TCP, UDP, RTP, RTC and RTCP. The link layerprotocols may comprise technology-specific PHY and MAC layer protocolssuch as, for example, Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCa), WiFi,Ethernet, Femtocell, and/or cordless.

Although communication among the application devices 111-119 with one ormore distributed transceivers is illustrated in FIG. 1, the inventionmay not be so limited. Accordingly, an application device may beoperable to utilize one or more associated distributed transceivers tocommunicate with one or more application devices with normaltransceivers without departing from the spirit and scope of variousembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram that illustrates an exemplary usage scenario whereutilizes distributed transceivers to create a high-performance linkbetween a transmitting device and one receiving device, in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 2, there is showna master application device 210 and an end-user application device 220.

The master application device 210 may comprise suitable logic,circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to communicatemultimedia information such as images, video, voice, as well as anyother forms of data with one or more application devices such as theend-user application device 220. The master application device 210 maycomprise a collection of distributed transceivers 212 a through 212 e,and a central processor 217 that comprises a central baseband processor214, a network management engine 216 and a memory 218. In an exemplaryembodiment of the invention, each of the collection of distributedtransceivers 212 a through 212 e may be physically positioned andoriented at different locations within an application device such as alaptop, TV, gateway, and set-top box. In this regard, the collection ofdistributed transceivers 212 a through 212 e may be implemented invarious ways such as, for example, a single distributed transceiverintegrated in a single chip package; multiple silicon dies on one singlechip; and multiple distributed transceivers on a single silicon die.Depending on device capabilities and user preferences, the distributedtransceivers 212 a-212 e may be oriented in a fixed direction ormultiple different directions. In another exemplary embodiment of theinvention, the collection of distributed transceivers 212 a-212 e may beoperable to receive and/or transmit radio frequency signals from and/orto the end-user application device 220 using air interface protocolsspecified in UMTS, GSM, LTE, WLAN, 60 GHz/mmWave, and/or WiMAX, forexample.

The central baseband processor 214 may comprise suitable logic,circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to performbaseband digital signal processing needed for transmission and receivingoperation of the entire collection of distributed transceivers 212 athrough 212 e. For example, the central baseband processor 214 may beoperable to perform waveform generation, equalization, and/or packetprocessing associated with the operation of the collection ofdistributed transceivers 212 a through 212 e. In addition, the centralbaseband processor 224 may be operable to configure, manage and controlorientations of the distributed transceivers 212 a-212 e.

The network management engine 216 may comprise suitable logic,circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to monitor andcollect communication environment information such as propagationenvironment conditions, link quality, application device capabilities,transmitter/receiver locations, target throughput, and/or applicationQoS requirements. The network management engine 216 may utilize thecollected communication environment information to configure system,network and communication environment conditions as needed. For example,the network management engine 216 may be operable to perform high levelsystem configurations such as the number of transceivers that areactivated, the number of application devices that are being communicatedwith, adding/dropping application devices to the communication network100. As shown in FIG. 2, the network management engine 216 is residingin the master application device 210. However, in some embodiments thenetwork management engine 216 may reside on different network devicessuch as separate network microprocessors and servers on thecommunication network 100. The network management engine 216 maycomprise a full software implementation, for example. In addition, thefunctionality of the network management engine 216 may be distributedover several devices in the communication network 100. In someembodiments the network management engine 216 may be operable to managecommunication sessions over the communication network 100. In thisregard, the network management engine 216 may be operable to coordinateoperation of baseband processors in the communication network 100 suchthat various baseband processing may be split or shared among thebaseband processors. For example, the network management engine 216 mayenable multiple central baseband processors for parallel basebandprocessing in order to increase throughput if needed.

In some embodiments of the invention, a single device, the masterapplication device 210 or the end-user application device 220, forexample, may be configured to deploy a number of baseband processors toimplement the system and data processing requirements/demands. Forexample, several baseband processors may be deployed within the singledevice to generate and/or decode different data streamstransmitted/received by several distributed transceivers. In thisconfiguration, the network management engine 216 may also be operable tocontrol and/ir coordinate the operation of the multiple basebandprocessors within the single device. In this regard, several internalconnection topologies may be used or implemented. In some embodiments ofthe invention, each baseband processor in the single device may bededicated to a subset of distributed transceivers and either ring/startopologies may be used. In this case, there may be no data transferbetween the subsets of distributed transceivers. In another embodimentof the invention, the entire baseband processors and distributedtransceivers within the single device may be connected together througha ring topology (using a single cable). In this regard, the basebandprocessors within the single device may be coordinated to share thecable by utilizing time-multiplexing at the same IF frequency orfrequency-multiplexing at different IF frequencies. The basebandprocessors within the single device may have differentpower/processing/communication characteristics. In some embodiments ofthe invention, one or more baseband processors that are most suitablefor a mode of operation (e.g., lower power consumption meeting thethroughput requirement) may be activated and other baseband processorsmay be disabled for power saving.

The memory 218 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/orcode that may be operable to store information such as executableinstructions and data that may be utilized by the central basebandprocessor 214 and/or other associated component units such as, forexample, the network management engine 216. The memory 218 may compriseRAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/orother suitable electronic data storage.

In an exemplary operation, a wireless link may be established betweenthe master application device 210 and the end-user application device220 through a reflector 230. In an exemplary embodiment of theinvention, the master application device 210 may be operable tocontinuously scan the propagation environment to identify the directionsand antenna patterns that result in strong reflected signals at theend-user application device 220. Then, the master application device 210may associate each strong reflector with one of the collection ofdistributed transceivers 212 a through 212 e so as to transmit anindependent different data stream to the end-user application device 220over each distributed transceiver and through each strong reflector. Forexample, the master application device 210 transmits two data streams tothe end-user application device 220 using two different distributedtransceivers 212 a and 212 d that may use the same frequency channel. Inparticular, the distributed transceivers 212 a may choose a beam pattern250 and orientation for a direct LOS to a transceiver 222, for example,of the end-user application device 220 (the receiving device) andtransmit a first data stream over a carrier frequency RF₁. On the otherhand, the distributed transceivers 212 d may choose a beam pattern 252and orientation that is pointing towards the reflector 230 and transmita second data stream also over the same carrier frequency RF₁. Thereflector 230 then may reflect the beam 252 towards a differenttransceiver 224 of the end-user application device 220. The selection ofthe beam patterns 250 and 252 may come from the central basebandprocessor 214 and the network management engine 216. In an exemplaryembodiment of the invention, the central baseband processor 214 mayprofile channel energy for directions of arrival and other schemes. Thenetwork management engine 216 may know communication environmentinformation such as the number of users, number of streams needed,and/or available frequency channels. For example, the central basebandprocessor 214 and the network management engine 216 may select narrowbeams for close devices and may select wide beams for further devices,respectively.

In one embodiment of the invention, the master application device 210may be operable to utilize the reflector 230 for the second data stream,for example, to lower the chances of an object blocking both the firstand second data streams, simultaneously. In other words, if a big enoughobject blocks the LOS between the master application device 210 and theend-user application device 220, the second data stream may likely beintact and sustained by complete direct reflecting through a reflectedpath 252 a. Although FIG. 2 shows one reflector 230, in one embodimentof the invention, several reflectors may be used to transmit one datastream or multiple data streams. The use of multiple reflectors mayprovide reflection diversification in case one reflector or a sub-set ofreflectors are blocked. In other words, instead of directing alltransmit power towards one reflector only, the total transmit power maybe distributed to propagate over a set of “good” reflectors in theenvironment. This distribution of power over different reflectors may bedone in a controlled, configurable, adaptive, and intelligent manner.For example, reflectors may be chosen and targeted that provide betterorthogonality between the different paths. In FIG. 2, the masterapplication device 210 may use a second reflector at a differentlocation and another distributed transceiver 212 c, for example, tocommunicate with the end-user application device 220 and send a thirddata stream. Also the reflected path 252 a may be caused by more thanone reflector where, for example, the distributed transceiver 212 etransmits towards the reflector 230 and the reflection transmits towardsa second reflector and the reflection of the second reflector reachesthe end-user application device 220. In another embodiment of theinvention, the first and second data streams in FIG. 2 may comprise thesame data content and the use of LOS path and one or more reflectorpaths may provide link robustness for data content in case an obstacleblocks some of the paths.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the master applicationdevice 210 may continuously monitor and collect propagation environmentconditions, link quality, device capabilities, locations, targetthroughput, and/or application QoS requirements reported from theend-user application device 220. In this regard, a feedback ornegotiation channel 240 may be utilized to exchange and negotiate systemconfigurations such as number of transceivers within devices, number ofantennas per transceivers, the measured channel responses, the sequenceof antenna array coefficients being evaluated, and/or device location.The feedback or negotiation channel 240 may be implemented through aWLAN, Bluetooth, and/or 60 GHz link, for example.

In some embodiments of the invention, the distributed transceivers 212a-212 e are mounted and installed on a surface. The surface may just bea flat plane or a parabolic surface. The transceivers' locations andorientations on the surface may either be deterministic (through acontrolled process of installation) or determined in a calibrationand/or optimizing phase. This set of distributed transceivers may thenbe configured jointly or concurrently in terms of their antenna patternsand/or beamforming weights so as to emulate and create a differenteffective antenna pattern (superposition of all individual antennapatterns). For example, the distributed transceivers 212 a-212 e may beconfigured jointly or concurrently to create a highly focused anddirectional antenna pattern. The direction and shape of the equivalentpatterns may be adjusted by adjusting the individual antenna patternsaccordingly.

FIG. 3 is a diagram that illustrates an exemplary transceiver module, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 3,there is shown a transceiver 300 comprising an antenna array 310, anantenna array with/without antenna combiner 320, down-converters 330,up-converters 340, and a multiplexer 350.

In an exemplary operation, the antenna array 310 may comprise suitablelogic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable totransmit and receive radio frequency (RF) signals over the air. Fortransmission the transceiver 300 may be operable to receive a transmitsignal from the central baseband processor 214. The transmit signalreceived from the central baseband processor 214 may be up-converted toRF frequency via the up-converters 340. For reception, the transceiver300 may pass a receive signal from the antenna array 310 afterdown-conversion to the central baseband processor 214. The multiplexer350 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code thatmay be operable to multiplex the transmit signal received from thecentral baseband processor 214 and the receive signal supplied from theantenna array 310. In this regard, the multiplexer 350 may utilizeeither time-division-multiplexing or frequency-domain-multiplexing tocommunicate the transmit signal and the receive signal over the samemedium such as a cable.

The antenna array with/without antenna combiner 320 may comprisesuitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operableto scale and/or phase-shift signals before the down-converters 330and/or signals after the up-converters 340. For example, in transmissionoperation the signal provided by the up-converters 340 may bephase-shifted by the shifter by different values. The resultingphase-shifted signals may be fed to different antenna elements withinthe antenna array 310. In another embodiment of the invention, theantenna array 310 may be oriented in a fixed direction or multipledifferent directions depending on antenna types and user preferences.For example, the antenna array 310 may be implemented as a fixeddirectional antenna array to provide maximal directionality (with noexplicit combiner). The same two modules, that is, the antenna array 310and the antenna array with/without antenna combiner 320, may becorrespondingly utilized in a reception operation for the transceiver300. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the operation of theantenna array with/without antenna combiner 320 may be managed orprogrammed by the network management engine 216.

The down-converters 330 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry,interfaces and/or code that may be operable to translate a radiofrequency (RF) received from the antenna array 310 to anintermediate-frequency (IF) signal during reception. The up-converters340 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code thatmay be operable to translate an intermediate-frequency (IF) signal of acorresponding baseband signal supplied from the central basebandprocessor 214, for example to a RF signal during transmission.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary master device with acollection of distributed transceivers that are implemented in a startopology, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referringto FIG. 4, there is shown a central processor 400 that is connected to acollection of transceivers 410 a through 410N. As shown, the collectionof transceivers 410 a through 410N are connected to the centralprocessor 400 in a star topology with direct separate cables, forexample, from the central processor 400 to each of the collection oftransceivers 410 a through 410N.

The central processor 400 comprises a baseband processor 420, a networkmanagement engine 430, down-converters 440, up-converters 446, amultiplxer 450 and a memory 460. The baseband processor 420 may comprisesuitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operableto provide MODEM functionality. In this regard, the central processor400 may be operable to perform various baseband digital processing suchas MIMO, OFDM, channel coding, HARQ, channel estimation andequalization, Timing/Carrier recovery and synchronization. The networkmanagement engine 430 may operate in substantially the same manner asthe network management engine 218 in FIG. 2. During transmission, abaseband signal supplied from the baseband processor 420 may betranslated into an intermediate-frequency (IF) signal. The up-converters446 may further translate the IF signal to a final radio-frequency (RF)and send it over the air through an antenna array such as the antennaarray 411 a. For reception, the transceiver 410 a, for example, may passa received RF signal from the antenna array 411 a to the down-converters440. The down-converters 440 may translate the RF signal into an IFsignal. The IF signal may further be translated to a baseband signal tothe baseband processor 420, for example. The multiplxer 450 may beresponsible for multiplexing receive/transmit signals utilizing eithertime-division-multiplexing or frequency-domain-multiplexing. The memory460 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code thatmay be operable to store information such as executable instructions anddata that may be utilized by the baseband processor 420 and/or otherassociated component units such as, for example, the network managementengine 430. The memory 360 may comprise RAM, ROM, low latencynonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronicdata storage.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a different control channelbetween the baseband processer 420 and each of the distributedtransceivers 410 a through 410N may be utilized for configuring andmanaging corresponding transceivers. As shown, control channels 412 athrough 412N are utilized for configuring and managing the transceivers410 a through 410N, respectively.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the distributedtransceivers 410 a through 410N may operate in various modes such asspatial diversity mode, frequency diversity mode, multiplexing mode andmultiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) mode. In spatial diversity mode,the central baseband processing 420 may be operable to utilize thedistributed transceivers 410 a through 410N to establish a spatialdiversity link with intended end user device such as the end-userapplication device 220. For example, only a portion of the distributedtransceivers 410 a through 410N that may have strong propagation channelresponses are activated and other transceivers are switched off forpower saving. In another example, the distributed transceivers 410 athrough 410N may be arranged such that the master application device 210(the transmitter) with available LOS towards the end-user device 220(the receiver) may be configured to directly beam towards the receiver.In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, each active distributedtransceiver may communicate data streams utilizing the same finalcarrier frequency. In frequency diversity mode, the central basebandprocessing 420 may manage the distributed transceivers 410 a through410N similar to spatial diversity mode except that each activedistributed transceiver may utilize a different final carrier frequencyif such frequency spectrum channel is available. In multiplexing mode,the central baseband processing 420 may manage the distributedtransceivers 410 a through 410N in such a way that different streams ofdata may be transmitted through different sets of the distributedtransceivers 410 a through 410N. For example, in multiplexing mode,different distributed transceivers of the distributed transceivers 410 athrough 410N may be dynamically programmed such that each transceiver'smaximum pattern gain may be pointing to a different direction orreflector. As the environment changes (and hence location of reflectorsand end user unit change), the antenna pattern of the distributedtransceivers 410 a through 410N may be re-adjusted. In MIMO mode, thecentral baseband processing 420 may manage the distributed transceivers410 a through 410N in such a way that different streams of data may betransmitted through different sets of the distributed transceivers 410 athrough 410N to a single receiver device such as the end-userapplication device 220. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, thedistributed transceivers 410 a through 410N may be configured to switchbetween spatial diversity mode, frequency diversity mode, multiplexingmode and multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) mode based oncorresponding propagation environment conditions, link quality, devicecapabilities, device locations, usage of resources, resourceavailability, target throughput, application QoS requirements.

In some embodiments of the invention, the interface between the basebandprocessor 420 and the distributed transceivers 410 a through 410N may bedifferent from an analog IF connection. In an exemplary embodiment ofthe invention, the distributed transceivers 410 a through 410N maycomprise analog-to-digital-converters (ADCs) anddigital-to-analog-converters (DACs). In this case, a transceiver such asthe distributed transceiver 410 a may receive digital bits from thebaseband processors 420 through a digital link and use its internal DACto generate an analog waveform and then to perform the frequencyup-conversion and beamforming steps for transmission. Similarly, atransceiver such as the distributed transceiver 410 a may receive an. RFwaveform, down-convert it, and then use its internal ADC to digitize thewaveform and send the digital bits over a digital connection/cable tothe baseband processor 420. In other embodiments of the invention, thedistributed transceivers 410 a through 410N may comprise multipledigital processing blocks or units. In this case, a portion ofprocessing within the baseband processor 420 may be moved (in terms ofpartitioning) to inside the transceivers boundary. In the aboveembodiments of the invention, one or more digital connections orinterfaces between the baseband processor 420 and the distributedtransceivers 410 a through 410N may be implemented or deployed. Thedigital connections/interfaces may comprise Ethernet and various memorybus protocols.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary master device with acollection of distributed transceivers that are implemented in a ringtopology, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As shown,the collection of transceivers 410 a through 410N may be connected tothe central processor 400 in a ring topology with a single direct cablefrom the central processor 400 to each of the collection of transceivers410 a through 410N. In this regard, a single control channel between thebaseband processer 420 and each of the distributed transceivers 410 athrough 410N may be utilized for configuring the entire distributedtransceivers 410 a through 410N as needed. In some embodiments of theinvention, the same date stream may be transported to all distributedtransceivers 410 a through 410N which requires only one IF channel forthis communication. In other embodiments, different data streams arerequired to be transported to each transceiver 410 a through 410N. Inthis usage case, each data stream may be modulated over a different IFfrequency. In this regard, these IF channels may be adjacent or spacedby a gap. Each transceiver may then be configured or tuned to itscorresponding/assigned IF frequency channel.

In some embodiments of the invention, the cable connection between thecentral processor 400 and the distributed transceivers 410 a through410N may be substituted with an optical connection, printed-boardconnection, Ethernet cable, or another wireless connection.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary transceiver module with asingle antenna that has fixed directionality, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown atransceiver 600. The transceiver 600 comprises an antenna 610, aswitcher 620, down-converters 630, up-converters 640, and a multiplexer650. The down-converters 630, the up-converters 640, and the multiplexer650 may operate in substantially the same manner as the down-converters330, the up-converters 340, and the multiplexer 350, respectively.

In an exemplary operation, the antenna 610 may have fixeddirectionality. In this regard, the antenna 610 with fixeddirectionality may be utilized to generate a fixed beam pattern, whichresults in the minimized amount of PAs and LNAs in the transceiver 600.The switcher 620 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfacesand/or code that may be operable to switch on or off the transceiver600. For example, the switcher 620 may be configured or programmed toswitch on the transceiver 600 only orientated in the vicinity of thefixed directionality of the antenna 610 for power saving.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary transceiver module with aconfigurable phased antenna array, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe invention. As shown a transceiver 700 that comprises an antennaarray 710, a switcher 620, down-converters 630, up-converters 640, and amultiplexer 650.

In an exemplary operation, the antenna array 710 may be a configurablephased antenna array. In this regard, the configurable phased antennaarray 710 may have various orientations. Accordingly, the configurablephased antenna array 710 may be utilized to generate a steerable beampattern to maximize coverage. In an exemplary embodiment of theinvention, the switcher 620 may be configured to switch on only thetransceivers that have strong propagation channel responses and areactivated. Other transceivers may be switched off for power saving. Forexample, in some instances, the system identifies that transceiver 711 aof the configurable phased antenna array 710 has the best LOS link tothe receiver end (due to blocking objects in the room or nature ofreflectors in the room). In this case, only the transceiver 711 a may beswitched on by the switcher 620 to transmit data to the receiver end andall other transceivers 711 a through 711N of the configurable phasedantenna array 710 are switched off for power saving.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating exemplary steps utilized by a masterdevice with a collection of distributed transceivers to configure andcoordinate operation of the distributed transceivers for datatransmission, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.Referring to FIG. 8, in step 802, the master application device 210 withone or more distributed transceivers 212 a through 212 e is transmittingdata to one or more receiving devices such as the end-user applicationdevice 220. The exemplary steps start with step 804, where the networkmanagement engine 216 of the master application device 210 may monitorand collect communication environment information such as propagationenvironment conditions, link quality, receive device capabilities,receiver locations, target throughput, and/or application QoSrequirements from the receiving devices through corresponding feedbackchannels such as the feedback channel 240. In step 806, the networkmanagement engine 216 of the master application device 210 may selectone or more of the distributed transceivers 212 a-212 e for subsequentdata transmission based on the collected propagation environmentconditions, link quality, receive device capabilities, receiverlocations, target throughput, application QoS requirements. Theexemplary steps continue in step 808 and 809, respectively. In step 808,the network management engine 216 within the master application device210 may determine connection types, communication protocols, and/ortransceiver operation modes for the selected distributed transceiversbased on the collected propagation environment conditions, link quality,receive device capabilities, receiver locations, target throughput,application QoS requirements. In step 810, the network management engine216 of the master application device 210 may communicate with theselected distributed transceivers utilizing corresponding controlchannels such as the control channel 412 a, for example. The networkmanagement engine 216 of the master application device 210 may configurethe selected distributed transceivers so as to support the determinedconnection types, communication protocols, and transceiver operationmodes. The exemplary steps continue in step 812.

In step 809, the network management engine 216 of the master applicationdevice 210 may identify directions and antenna patterns that results instrong receive signals and/or a maximal coverage at the receivingdevices such as the end-user application device 220 based on thecollected propagation environment conditions and link quality. In step811, the network management engine 216 of the master application device210 may be operable to configure beamforming settings and/or antennaarrangement for the selected distributed transceivers based on theidentified directions and antenna patterns, and/or receiver locations.In step 812, the network management engine 216 of the master applicationdevice 210 may allocate resources such as frequencies, time slots,processor, and/or storage to the selected distributed transceivers tocontinue the subsequent data communication to the receiving devices. Instep 814, the network management engine 216 of the master applicationdevice 210 may coordinate and manage the operation of the selecteddistributed transceivers during the data communication to the receivingdevices. In step 815, it may be determined whether the selecteddistributed transceivers need to be switched to other operation modefrom the current determined transceiver operation mode. In instanceswhere the selected distributed transceivers need to be switched to otheroperation mode from the current determined transceiver operation mode,then the exemplary step go back to step 806. Otherwise, the exemplarysteps end in step 816.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating exemplary steps utilized by a masterdevice with a collection of distributed transceivers to enablecommunication sessions in-between corresponding data centric applicationdevices, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 9, in step 902, the master application device 210 comprises one ormore distributed transceivers 212 a through 212 e that are integratedwithin corresponding application devices. The exemplary steps start withstep 904, where the network management engine 216 of the masterapplication device 210 may track or monitor device capabilities, usageof resources, available resources, and/or application device locations.In step 906, it may be determined if device-to-device communicationbetween the application devices are desirable. In instances where thedevice-to-device communication between the end-user application devicessuch as the end-user application devices 111 and 112 is required, thenin step 908, the network management engine 216 of the master applicationdevice 210 may select communication types and communication protocolsfor the end-user application devices 111 and 112 based on thecorresponding application device capabilities, usage of resources,available resources, and/or application device locations.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the selected communicationtypes may comprise peer-to-peer communication, master-slavecommunication and/or server-client communication. In step 910, thenetwork management engine 216 of the master application device 210 mayinstruct the end-user application devices 111 and 112 to establish acommunication session in-between based on the selected communicationtypes and communication protocols. In step 912, the network managementengine 216 of the master application device 210 may create a sessionprofile for the communication session between the end-user applicationdevices 111 and 112. The session profile comprises the selectedcommunication types and communication protocols, link quality, targetthroughput, and/or application QoS requirements. In step 914, thenetwork management engine 216 of the master application device 210 mayconfigure the end-user application devices 111 and 112 based on thesession profile. In step 916, the network management engine 216 of themaster application device 210 may allocate resources to the end-userapplication devices 111 and 112 based on the session profile to activatethe communication session between the intended application devices. Instep 918, the network management engine 216 of the master applicationdevice 210 may continuously monitor data communication over theactivated communication session between the end-user application devices111 and 112. In step 906, in instances where the device-to-devicecommunication between the application devices is required, the exemplarysteps may return to the step 904.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating exemplary steps utilized by a devicemaster with a collection of distributed transceivers for communicationsession transfer, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.Referring to FIG. 10, in step 1002, the master application device 210comprises one or more distributed transceivers 212 a through 212 e thatare integrated within corresponding application devices. The exemplarysteps start with step 1004, where the network management engine 216 ofthe master application device 210 may be operable to monitor datatransfer over WiFi, for example, via a specific distributed transceiversuch as the distributed transceiver 410 a out of the collection of thedistributed transceivers. The distributed transceiver 410 a may beintegrated in the application device 118, for example. In step 1006, itmay be determined if additional resources are required to continue thedata transferring over WiFi. In instances where additional resourcessuch as frequency, time slots, processors and/or memory are required tocontinue the data transferring over WiFi, then in step 1008, where thenetwork management engine 216 of the master application device 210 mayselect one or more different distributed transceivers such as thedistributed transceivers 410 b and 410 c for the data transferring overWiFi based on corresponding application device capabilities, usage ofresources, available resources, application device locations, linkquality, target throughput, and/or application QoS requirements. In step1010, the master application device 210 may transfer the existingcommunication session for the data transferring to the selecteddifferent distributed transceivers 410 b and 410 c. In step 1012, themaster application device 210 may instruct the selected differentdistributed transceivers 410 b and 410 c to continue the datatransferring over WiFi utilizing the existing communication session. Inan exemplary embodiment of the invention, the network management engine216 of the master application device 210 may coordinate and manage thedistributed transceivers 410 a and the distributed transceivers 410 band 410 c such that the data transferring over the distributedtransceivers 410 a is suspended or stopped before or after thedistributed transceivers 410 b and 410 c starting the data transferringover WiFi.

Aspects of a method and system for centralized distributed transceivermanagement are provided. In accordance with various exemplaryembodiments of the invention, as described with respect to FIG. 1through FIG. 10, a device such as the master application device 210comprises a plurality of distributed transceivers 212 a-212 e, thecentral baseband processor 214 and the network management engine 216.The plurality of distributed transceivers 212 a-212 e may be connectedto the central baseband processor 214 and the network management engine216 in the central processor 217 in a star topology or a ring topologyas shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively. The master application device210 may be operable to communicate data streams that may comprisevarious multimedia information such as images, video, voice, as well asany other form of data utilizing one or more distributed transceiversselected from the plurality of the distributed transceivers 212 a-212 eto one or more other devices such as the end-user application device220. The network management engine 216 may dynamically configure theselected one or more distributed transceivers, for example, thedistributed transceivers 212 a-212 c, to switch between differentoperation modes based on corresponding link quality and propagationenvironment during the data communication.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the central processor 217may dynamically configure and coordinate the selected one or moredistributed transceivers 212 a-212 c to switch back-and-forth betweenspatial diversity mode, frequency diversity mode, multiplexing mode andMIMO mode. The entire collection of the distributed transceivers 212a-212 e may be connected to the central processor 217 in a star topologyor a ring topology. The central baseband processor 214 may be operableto perform digital signal processing needed for transmit and receiveoperations for the selected one or more distributed transceivers 212a-212 c. During the data communication, the network management engine216 may be operable to monitor or scan communication environmentinformation such as propagation environment conditions, link quality,device capabilities, usage of resources, available resources, devicelocations, target throughput, and/or application QoS requirements. In anexemplary embodiment of the invention, the network management engine 216may identify directions and antenna patterns that results in strongreceive signals and/or a maximal coverage at the receiving devices suchas the end-user application device 220 based on the correspondingpropagation environment conditions and link quality.

The network management engine 216 may be operable to configurebeamforming settings and/or antenna arrangement for the selected one ormore distributed transceivers 212 a-212 c based on the identifieddirections and antenna patterns, and/or receiver locations. In anexemplary embodiment of the invention, the network management engine 216may determine or select connection types, communication protocols,and/or transceiver operation modes for the selected one or moredistributed transceivers 212 a-212 c based on the correspondingpropagation environment conditions, link quality, receive devicecapabilities, device locations, target throughput, application QoSrequirements. The network management engine 216 may allocate resourcessuch as frequencies, time slots, processor, and/or storage to theselected one or more distributed transceivers 212 a-212 c. The masterapplication device 210 may continue subsequent data communication to thereceiving devices such as the end-user application device 220 utilizingthe allocated resources and the determined communication connectiontypes and protocols. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, thenetwork management engine 216 may be operable to coordinate and managethe operation of the distributed transceivers and associated antenna orantenna array of the selected one or more distributed transceivers 212a-212 c so as to share the allocated resources. For example, the networkmanagement engine 216 may monitor and manage data transferring over WiFiutilizing the distributed transceiver 410 a, for example.

The distributed transceiver 410 a may be integrated in the applicationdevice 118, for example. In some instances, additional resources such asfrequency, time slots, processors and/or storage are required tocontinue the data transferring over WiFi with desired QoS requirements.In this regard, the network management engine 216 may select or identifyone or more different distributed transceivers such as the distributedtransceivers 410 b and 410 c that may be operable to support the datatransferring over WiFi with the desired QoS requirements. The masterapplication device 210 may transfer the existing communication sessionassociated with the distributed transceiver 410 a for the datatransferring to the selected different distributed transceivers 410 band 410 c. The resources associated with the selected differentdistributed transceivers 410 b and 410 c may be shared to continue thedata transferring over WiFi utilizing the existing communication sessiontransferred from the distributed transceiver 410 a.

Other embodiments of the invention may provide a non-transitory computerreadable medium and/or storage medium, and/or a non-transitory machinereadable medium and/or storage medium, having stored thereon, a machinecode and/or a computer program having at least one code sectionexecutable by a machine and/or a computer, thereby causing the machineand/or computer to perform the steps as described herein for centralizeddistributed transceiver management.

Accordingly, the present invention may be realized in hardware,software, or a combination of hardware and software. The presentinvention may be realized in a centralized fashion in at least onecomputer system, or in a distributed fashion where different elementsare spread across several interconnected computer systems. Any kind ofcomputer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methodsdescribed herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware andsoftware may be a general-purpose computer system with a computerprogram that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computersystem such that it carries out the methods described herein.

The present invention may also be embedded in a computer programproduct, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation ofthe methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer systemis able to carry out these methods. Computer program in the presentcontext means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of aset of instructions intended to cause a system having an informationprocessing capability to perform a particular function either directlyor after either or both of the following: a) conversion to anotherlanguage, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different materialform.

While the present invention has been described with reference to certainembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. In addition, manymodifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material tothe teachings of the present invention without departing from its scope.Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited tothe particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present invention willinclude all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of processing signals, the methodcomprising: in a device that comprises a plurality of distributedtransceivers, a central baseband processor and a network managementengine: communicating data streams utilizing one or more of saidplurality of distributed transceivers to one or more other devices; anddynamically configuring said one or more of said plurality ofdistributed transceivers to switch between different modes of operationbased on corresponding link quality and propagation environment duringsaid communication.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein saiddifferent modes of operation comprise spatial diversity mode, frequencydiversity mode, and multiplexing mode, andmultiple-input-multiple-output mode.
 3. The method according to claim 1,wherein said plurality of distributed transceivers are connected to saidcentral baseband processor and said network management engine in a startopology or a ring topology.
 4. The method according to claim 1,comprising performing digital signal processing by said central basebandprocessor for transmit and receive operations for each of said one ormore of said plurality of distributed transceivers during saidcommunication.
 5. The method according to claim 1, comprising monitoringby said network management engine, said corresponding link quality andpropagation environment during said communication.
 6. The methodaccording to claim 5, comprising dynamically configuring beamformingsettings and antenna arrangement for said one or more of said pluralityof distributed transceivers based on said monitoring.
 7. The methodaccording to claim 1, comprising determining connection types andcommunication protocols, and allocating resources to said one or more ofsaid plurality of distributed transceivers for said switching.
 8. Themethod according to claim 7, comprising communicating subsequent datastreams utilizing said allocated resources, said connection types andsaid communication protocols to said one or more other devices.
 9. Themethod according to claim 8, comprising sharing resources among said oneor more of said plurality of distributed transceivers.
 10. The methodaccording to claim 9, comprising transferring an existing communicationsession with one of said one or more of said plurality of distributedtransceivers to a different one or more of said one or more of saidplurality of distributed transceivers for said resource sharing.
 11. Asystem for processing signals, the system comprising: a device thatcomprises a plurality of distributed transceivers, a central basebandprocessor and a network management engine, said device being operableto: communicate data streams utilizing said one or more of saidplurality of distributed transceivers to one or more other devices; anddynamically configure said one or more of said plurality of distributedtransceivers to switch between different modes of operation based oncorresponding link quality and propagation environment during saidcommunication.
 12. The system according to claim 11, wherein saiddifferent modes of operation comprise spatial diversity mode, frequencydiversity mode, and multiplexing mode, andmultiple-input-multiple-output mode.
 13. The system according to claim11, wherein said plurality of distributed transceivers are connected tosaid central baseband processor and said network management engine in astar topology or a ring topology.
 14. The system according to claim 11,wherein said central baseband processor of said device performs digitalsignal processing for transmit and transmit and receive operations foreach of said one or more of said plurality of distributed transceiversduring said communication.
 15. The system according to claim 11, whereinsaid network management engine of said device monitors saidcorresponding link quality and propagation environment during saidcommunication.
 16. The system according to claim 14, wherein saidnetwork management engine of said device dynamically configuresbeamforming settings and antenna arrangement for said one or more ofsaid plurality of distributed transceivers based on said monitoring. 17.The system according to claim 16, wherein said network management engineof said device determines connection types and communication protocols,and allocates resources to said one or more of said plurality ofdistributed transceivers for said switching.
 18. The system according toclaim 17, wherein said network management engine of said devicecommunicates subsequent data streams utilizing said allocated resources,said connection types and said communication protocols to said one ormore other devices.
 19. The system according to claim 18, wherein saidnetwork management engine of said device shares resources among said oneor more of said plurality of distributed transceivers.
 20. The systemaccording to claim 19, wherein said network management engine of saiddevice transfers an existing communication session with one of said oneor more of said plurality of distributed transceivers to a different oneor more of said one or more of said plurality of distributedtransceivers for said resource sharing.